Tokyo Airports to the City — NRT & HND

Haneda (HND) — closer airport

Haneda sits closer to central Tokyo than Narita. Tokyo Monorail connects to Hamamatsucho JR hub; Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa and Asakusa directions. Both accept IC cards with appropriate fares.

Late arrivals still have rail options on most lines, though frequency drops after midnight—check last train times on official Keikyu and Monorail timetables for your terminal.

Taxi and ride apps work but cost significantly more than rail for solo travelers—consider for groups with heavy luggage or very late arrivals when trains ended.

Narita (NRT) — express trains

Narita Express (N'EX) serves major JR hubs including Tokyo Station and Shinjuku on some services—verify current stopping patterns on JR East airport access pages.

Keisei Skyliner reaches Nippori/Ueno faster on dedicated track; Keisei limited expresses cost less with more stops.

Airport limousine buses serve hotels directly when rail with luggage transfers is awkward—check Airport Transport Service official route list for your property.

Choosing mode

Match airport to ticket: most long-haul international flights use Narita; many regional and some intercontinental routes use Haneda—confirm ticket before planning hotel shuttles.

If holding a Japan Rail Pass, check whether Narita Express segments are covered for your pass type and whether seat reservations are required day-of at ticket offices.

Allow extra time for immigration, baggage, and IC card purchase queues during peak arrival banks.

Official sources

• Narita International Airport (access)
• Haneda Airport (access)
• JR East (Narita Express)